Mickael Pietrus, come on down, you're the next contestant in Toronto's seemingly never-ending search to find a capable small forward.

The nine-year veteran has long been linked to the Raptors and should be in the lineup on Friday against Phoenix, one of four clubs for which Pietrus previously has played. Pietrus was in Toronto the past few days and underwent a physical. The Raptors didn't like the results of one last season, when Pietrus was returning from a knee injury, scuttling a trade with the Suns, but USA Today reported Thursday evening that this time, he would join the team.

Pietrus eventually played for Boston last season, but turned down a contract for the league minimum from the Celtics for 2012-13. When a better deal failed to arrive. Pietrus took the minimum from the Raptors.

Barring a last-minute change of heart, Dominic McGuire, who had been starting for the team with Landry Fields injured, will be waived.

Drafted 11th overall by Golden State in 2003, Pietrus always has been a capable defender and an above-average outside shooter. He has averaged 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game over his career, shooting 35.7% from three-point range.

The native of Guadeloupe, a Caribbean island that is part of France, was excellent in the playoffs for the Orlando Magic a few years ago and was involved in the trade that sent Vince Carter to the Suns and Hedo Turkoglu back to the Magic.

He has consistently battled injuries over the course of his career and as a result, has gone from a standout NBA athlete to a lot less than that.

Still, with Fields sidelined indefinitely, Pietrus will be a solid addition to a club desperately seeking production at both ends of the court from its wings. He helped Boston last season before suffering a concussion.

DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross are more suited to shooting guard. Pietrus can play at either spot.

AROUND THE RIM

Despite a six-game losing streak and a record only the Washington Wizards stare up at, the Raptors think things can be turned around.

As head coach Dwane Casey likes to point out, this is one of the youngest teams in the NBA and his charges are learning new things daily.

"This group has bounced back before and I know they will bounce back again," Casey said in Memphis.

To a man, the players understand the importance of pulling out a win at home against Phoenix on Friday, with another extremely difficult trip beginning on Monday.

"It's big, it will just give us the confidence to go on a road trip to have a good head on our shoulders and make sure we're handling business," Ross said.

As Kyle Lowry said on Wednesday, the team isn't dead yet, but it is buried several inches deep.

Casey knows what needs to improve for things to turn on the scoreboard.

"Those are the things that we've got to get better at, when the other team turns up the heat and turns up the juice, instead of getting back on our heels. We've got to be an attacker at that point in the game."

AMIR GETS MRI

Raptors forward Amir Johnson sprained his ankle in extremely painful fashion on Wednesday. Even though he said he was fine afterward, calling himself a "rubber band man who always bounces back," Johnson underwent an MRI on Thursday and the team is awaiting the results.

POINTS ON PIETRUS

Mickael Pietrus is set to join the fold in Toronto. Here are a few things to know about him:

Age: 30

Drafted: 11th overall pick in 2003

Notes:

Has twice shot at least 37% from three-point range in a season.

Solid from three and and at the rim, but has never been strong shooting from other areas of the court.

Once an elite defensive player, but injuries have slowed him.

Has raised his game in post-season, particularly in 2008-09 with Orlando team that lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals.

Mickael Pietrus expected to join Raptors

Mickael Pietrus, come on down, you're the next contestant in Toronto's seemingly never-ending search to find a capable small forward.

The nine-year veteran has long been linked to the Raptors and should be in the lineup on Friday against Phoenix, one of four clubs for which Pietrus previously has played. Pietrus was in Toronto the past few days and underwent a physical. The Raptors didn't like the results of one last season, when Pietrus was returning from a knee injury, scuttling a trade with the Suns, but USA Today reported Thursday evening that this time, he would join the team.

That's a wrap on a shortened pre-season schedule that still seemed quite long enough. The Raptors finished 3-2, but the most important thing is nobody got injured - and rookie OG Anunoby actually returned to action far ahead of schedule.